This month, it’s Stress Awareness Month.

We all know what it’s like to feel stressed – being under pressure is a normal part of life. It can help us to take action, feel more energised and produce better results, but becoming overwhelmed by stress can lead to mental health problems or make existing problems worse.

National Stress Awareness Month is a great opportunity to take a moment to think about our wellbeing and find advice or support on managing stress.

According to the Mental Health Foundation 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.

Some tips from the Stress Management Society

  • Talk about Stress and it’s effects – lets work together to reduce the stigma that is associated with stress by talking about the topic openly and freely with friends, family and colleagues.
  • Share your coping mechanisms – if something has worked for you why not share it. It might benefit someone you care about and in the meantime it might help you take your focus off your own challenges.
  • Be nice to those who are stressed and anxious – we are all undoubtedly going to experience stress and anxiety in our lifetime so treat others going through wit with compassion and empathy.
  • Look after yourself – we all need to think more about self –care. Take time out of your day to relax or do something that you enjoy. Don’t forget to exercise and eat well, even when you feel too stressed.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “stress can motivate people to prepare or perform and might even be life-saving in some situations.” but we need to be careful to not burn ourselves out.

 

Why Stress Awareness Month is Important

1. It reminds us to pay attention to our health

According to the official website, “Stress Awareness Month is a national, cooperative effort to inform people about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies, and harmful misconceptions about stress that are prevalent in our society.”

2. It’s a work in progress

Stress Awareness Month has been an ongoing campaign of awareness and education since 1992.

3. Because we’re all feeling it

A recent survey found that about two-thirds of U.S. workers report engaging in behaviour such as drinking or crying regularly in order to deal with stress.

 

What will you do this month to support the awareness campaign?

If you need additional support, here are some resources:

MIND

Samaritans

Rethink.org